Libyan leader expected to visit EU's headquarters

Portuguese foreign minister Yaime Gama, whose country is currently heading the EU, said on Tuesday that the recent invitation from EU's Director of negotiations, Romano Prodi, to Libyan President Muammar Al-Qadafi to visit EU's headquarters in Brussels would ease tension in the Middle East.

Gama is expected to meet with his Italian counterpart in light of recent speculations of Libyan links to exporting missiles.

In Rome, Italian foreign Minister Lamberto Dini asserted Tuesday in a press statement Italy's willingness to include Libya in the upcoming "Barcelona Process" for Mediterranean-European dialogue.

He called on the Libyan president to elaborate his demand to exclude Palestine and Israel at the "Barcelona process," where Italy is Keen to have full Libyan participation.

An official spokesman for Prodi told the Italian News Agency that the head of the Italian diplomacy was personally preparing for the visit and confirmed his keenness for such a visit which should result in improving European-Libyan relations.

He added that work is ongoing to set a date and conditions needed for the visit.